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Ouyang X, Reihill JA, Douglas LEJ, Martin SL. Airborne indoor allergen serine proteases and their contribution to sensitisation and activation of innate immunity in allergic airway disease. Eur Respir Rev 2024; 33:230126. [PMID: 38657996 PMCID: PMC11040391 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0126-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Common airborne allergens (pollen, animal dander and those from fungi and insects) are the main triggers of type I allergic disorder in the respiratory system and are associated with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, as well as immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These allergens promote IgE crosslinking, vasodilation, infiltration of inflammatory cells, mucosal barrier dysfunction, extracellular matrix deposition and smooth muscle spasm, which collectively cause remodelling of the airways. Fungus and insect (house dust mite and cockroaches) indoor allergens are particularly rich in proteases. Indeed, more than 40 different types of aeroallergen proteases, which have both IgE-neutralising and tissue-destructive activities, have been documented in the Allergen Nomenclature database. Of all the inhaled protease allergens, 85% are classed as serine protease activities and include trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and collagenolytic serine proteases. In this article, we review and compare the allergenicity and proteolytic effect of allergen serine proteases as listed in the Allergen Nomenclature and MEROPS databases and highlight their contribution to allergic sensitisation, disruption of the epithelial barrier and activation of innate immunity in allergic airways disease. The utility of small-molecule inhibitors of allergen serine proteases as a potential treatment strategy for allergic airways disease will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Ouyang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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2
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Li L, Guan K, Zheng SG. Biochemical Characteristics and Allergenic Activity of Common Fungus Allergens. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2020; 21:170-185. [PMID: 31309887 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190712121243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fungi form a large kingdom with more than 1.5 million species. Fungal spores are universal atmospheric components and are generally recognized as important causes of allergic disorders, including allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinosinusitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The 4 genera which have the closest connection with allergic disorder are Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium. The cDNA sequences of many fungi allergens and the amino acids involved in their immunoglobulin E binding and T-cell activation have already been elucidated. Until now, 111 allergens from 29 fungal genera have been approved by the International Allergen Nomenclature Sub-committee. This review mainly focuses on the biochemical characteristics and allergenic activity of important allergens from common environmental fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Li
- Department of Allergy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Diagnosis and Treatment on Allergic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kai Guan
- Department of Allergy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Diagnosis and Treatment on Allergic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Ohio State College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Core epitope analysis of 16 kDa allergen from tartary buckwheat. Food Chem 2020; 346:128953. [PMID: 33412487 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Tartary buckwheat is widely accepted as its nutritionalvalue. Some allergic reactions hinder its utilization. This research focused on evaluating the core epitope of 16 kDa allergen (Fag t 2) in tartary buckwheat. Six B- and seven T cell epitopes of Fag t 2 were predicted, and six B cell epitope-mutants were expressed in Pichia pastoris. Bioinformatics analysis and SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the molecular weight, isoelectric point and spatial structures of six mutant allergens were similar with Fag t 2, with the same signal peptide sequences and α-amylase inhibitor domain. There was no significant change in mutants' spatial conformation confirmed by Circular Dichroism. The position K132N and peptides at 108-117 and 132-141 were the core B- and T cell epitopes of Fag t 2 confirmed by competitive inhibition ELISA and dot blot. This result was of great significance on the study of allergen epitopes in prevention and treatment of hypersensitivity.
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Fu L, Wang J, Ni S, Wang C, Wang Y. Identification of Allergenic Epitopes and Critical Amino Acids of Major Allergens in Chinese Shrimp ( Penaeus chinensis) by Immunoinformatics Coupled with Competitive-Binding Strategy. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:2944-2953. [PMID: 29481756 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b06042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Chinese shrimp ( Penaeus chinensis) is widely cultured and consumed in Asia but is also a major food allergen locally. Although they may be the foundation for preventing and treating allergies, the allergenic epitopes of the major allergens tropomyosin (TM) and arginine kinase (AK) in Penaeus chinensis have not been identified. Here, we applied Immunoinfo-CB (immunoinformatics coupled with competitive-binding strategy) to address the point. Potential allergenic epitopes of TM and AK were predicted by multiple immunoinformatics tools, followed by validating with inhibitory dot-blot assay, indirect competition ELISA, and mast cell degranulation assay. Furthermore, critical amino acids in allergenic epitopes were also identified by Immunoinfo-CB. Our findings provide new insight into allergenic epitopes and critical amino acids of TM and AK responsible for the anaphylactic response. The Immunoinfo-CB therefore offers promises for characterization of IgE-binding epitopes that might be used as new targets for immunotherapy of food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglin Fu
- Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
- Zhejiang Engineering Institute of Food Quality and Safety , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
| | - Jinbao Wang
- Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
| | - Saiqiao Ni
- Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
| | - Chong Wang
- Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
| | - Yanbo Wang
- Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
- Zhejiang Engineering Institute of Food Quality and Safety , Zhejiang Gongshang University , Hangzhou 310018 , China
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Yeh CC, Tai HY, Chou H, Wu KG, Shen HD. Vacuolar Serine Protease Is a Major Allergen of Fusarium proliferatum and an IgE-Cross Reactive Pan-Fungal Allergen. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2016; 8:438-44. [PMID: 27334782 PMCID: PMC4921698 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2016.8.5.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Fusarium species are among prevalent airborne fungi and causative agents of human respiratory atopic disorders. We previously identified a 36.5-kDa F. proliferatum component recognized by IgE antibodies in 9 (53%) of the 17 F. proliferatum-sensitized atopic serum samples. The purpose of this study is to characterize the 36.5-kDa allergen of F. proliferatum. Methods Characterization of allergens and determination of IgE cross-reactivity were performed by cDNA cloning/expression and immunoblot inhibition studies. Results Based on the finding that the 36.5-kDa IgE-binding component reacted with the mouse monoclonal antibody FUM20 against fungal vacuolar serine protease allergens, the cDNA of F. proliferatum vacuolar serine protease (Fus p 9.0101) was subsequently cloned. Nine serum samples from respiratory atopic patients with IgE binding to the vacuolar serine protease allergen of Penicillium chrysogenum (Pen ch 18) also showed IgE-immunoblot reactivity to rFus p 9.0101. The purified rFus p 9.0101 can inhibit IgE and FUM20 binding to the 36.5-kDa component of F. proliferatum. Thus, a novel and important Fus p 9.0101 was identified. The rPen ch 18 can inhibit IgE binding to Fus p 9.0101. It indicates that IgE cross-reactivity between Fus p 9.0101 and Pen ch 18 also exists. Furthermore, neither rFus p 9.0101 K88A nor rPen ch 18 K89A mutants inhibited IgE binding to rFus p 9.0101. Lys88 was considered a critical core amino acid in IgE binding to r Fus p 9.0101 and a residue responsible for IgE cross-reactivity between Fus p 9.0101 and Pen ch 18 allergens. Conclusions Results obtained from this study indicate that vacuolar serine protease may be a major allergen of F. proliferatum and an important IgE cross-reactive pan-fungal allergen, and provide important bases for clinical diagnosis of fungal allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Ching Yeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsiao Yun Tai
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hong Chou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Keh Gong Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Horng Der Shen
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
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Woodfolk JA, Glesner J, Wright PW, Kepley CL, Li M, Himly M, Muehling LM, Gustchina A, Wlodawer A, Chapman MD, Pomés A. Antigenic Determinants of the Bilobal Cockroach Allergen Bla g 2. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:2288-301. [PMID: 26644466 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.702324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bla g 2 is a major indoor cockroach allergen associated with the development of asthma. Antigenic determinants on Bla g 2 were analyzed by mutagenesis based on the structure of the allergen alone and in complex with monoclonal antibodies that interfere with IgE antibody binding. The structural analysis revealed mechanisms of allergen-antibody recognition through cation-π interactions. Single and multiple Bla g 2 mutants were expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified. The triple mutant K132A/K251A/F162Y showed an ∼100-fold reduced capacity to bind IgE, while preserving the native molecular fold, as proven by x-ray crystallography. This mutant was still able to induce mast cell release. T-cell responses were assessed by analyzing Th1/Th2 cytokine production and the CD4(+) T-cell phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. Although T-cell activating capacity was similar for the KKF mutant and Bla g 2 based on CD25 expression, the KKF mutant was a weaker inducer of the Th2 cytokine IL-13. Furthermore, this mutant induced IL-10 from a non-T-cell source at higher levels that those induced by Bla g 2. Our findings demonstrate that a rational design of site-directed mutagenesis was effective in producing a mutant with only 3 amino acid substitutions that maintained the same fold as wild type Bla g 2. These residues, which were involved in IgE antibody binding, endowed Bla g 2 with a T-cell modulatory capacity. The antigenic analysis of Bla g 2 will be useful for the subsequent development of recombinant allergen vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Woodfolk
- From the Allergy Division, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
| | - Jill Glesner
- INDOOR Biotechnologies, Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Paul W Wright
- From the Allergy Division, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
| | - Christopher L Kepley
- the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
| | - Mi Li
- the Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland 21702, and
| | - Martin Himly
- the Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lyndsey M Muehling
- From the Allergy Division, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
| | - Alla Gustchina
- the Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- the Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | | | - Anna Pomés
- INDOOR Biotechnologies, Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia 22908,
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Twaroch TE, Curin M, Valenta R, Swoboda I. Mold allergens in respiratory allergy: from structure to therapy. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2015; 7:205-20. [PMID: 25840710 PMCID: PMC4397360 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2015.7.3.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Allergic reactions to fungi were described 300 years ago, but the importance of allergy to fungi has been underestimated for a long time. Allergens from fungi mainly cause respiratory and skin symptoms in sensitized patients. In this review, we will focus on fungi and fungal allergens involved in respiratory forms of allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Fungi can act as indoor and outdoor respiratory allergen sources, and depending on climate conditions, the rates of sensitization in individuals attending allergy clinics range from 5% to 20%. Due to the poor quality of natural fungal allergen extracts, diagnosis of fungal allergy is hampered, and allergen-specific immunotherapy is rarely given. Several factors are responsible for the poor quality of natural fungal extracts, among which the influence of culture conditions on allergen contents. However, molecular cloning techniques have allowed us to isolate DNAs coding for fungal allergens and to produce a continuously growing panel of recombinant allergens for the diagnosis of fungal allergy. Moreover, technologies are now available for the preparation of recombinant and synthetic fungal allergen derivatives which can be used to develop safe vaccines for the treatment of fungal allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E Twaroch
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ines Swoboda
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.; The Molecular Biotechnology Section, University of Applied Sciences, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
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Chou H, Tam MF, Lee SS, Tang RB, Lin TH, Tai HY, Chen YS, Shen HD. Asp159 is a critical core amino acid of an IgE-binding and cross-reactive epitope of a dust mite allergen Der f 7. Mol Immunol 2011; 48:2130-4. [PMID: 21820178 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2011.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Der f 7 and Der p 7 are important house dust mite allergens with known structure and suggested biological function recently. However, their IgE-binding determinants remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify the IgE-reactive epitopes of Der f 7 and the determinants of IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. IgE-reactive determinants were identified by immunodot blot inhibition using synthetic overlapping peptides, allergen mutants, and a Der f 7 structural model. Our results showed that synthetic peptides with sequence (156)SILDP(160) on Der f 7 bind IgE in two of the 30 asthmatic serum samples tested. Recombinant Der f 7 I157A, L158A, or D159A mutants have reduced IgE-binding activity. Inhibition experiments confirmed Asp159 as a critical core residue for IgE-binding. Among Der p 7, Der f 7 and Der f 7 mutants with single substitution between residues 156 and 160, only the D159A mutant cannot inhibit significantly IgE-binding against Der p 7. Therefore, Asp159 contributes to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. The structural model constructed for Der f 7 suggests that the IgE-binding epitope forms a loop-like structure on the surface of the molecule. In conclusion, Asp 159 is a critical core residue of an IgE-binding and IgE-mediated cross-reactive epitope (156)SILDP(160) of Der f 7. Results obtained from this study provide more information on molecular and structural features related to allergenicity, underlying basis of IgE cross-reactivity between allergens, and in designing safer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Chou
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Shih-Pai, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
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Li P, Cui X, Li Y, Wang Z. Epitope mapping and identification on a 3D model built for the tartary buckwheat allergic protein TBb. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2011; 43:441-7. [PMID: 21571740 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmr036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic protein TBb, a major allergen in tartary buckwheat, was divided into four epitope-containing fragments and was named F1, F2, F3, and F4, respectively. Results of immunological assays revealed that F2 had the strongest IgE-binding activity to patient's sera, which indicated that it might contain the linear IgE-binding epitope of TBb. According to the results of sequence analysis and molecular modeling of tartary buckwheat allergen, three mutants of F2 gene (R139A, R141A, and D144A) were reconstructed using site-directed mutagenesis, and each mutant was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Following purification by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dot blot were performed for wild-type F2 and its mutants using sera from buckwheat-allergic patients and a negative control (non-allergic patient). Results showed that mutants R139A and D144A had weaker IgE-binding activity to patient's sera than wild-type F2, implying that Arg(139) and Asp(144) might be involved in the allergic activity of TBb. However, R141A had the weakest IgE-binding activity, suggesting that Arg(141) may be the critical amino acid of TBb. This is the first report on the epitope mapping and identification of TBb. Our findings will contribute to the production of TBb hypoallergens and to allergen-specific immunotherapy for tartary buckwheat allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Biotechnology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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